Chapter 4: The Opening of the Small Inn

"I do not mind teaching you the theory of spellcasting, but I must also admit that, at present, I do not see any magical talent in you," the old master said淡淡地. "In fact, it does not matter; you can completely compensate for this deficiency with your long lifespan, or seek ways to change yourself during your long life. However, there is one point that is fatal—"

A modernly decorated single room features a large 1.8-meter bed and a minimalist long desk embedded in the wall, accompanied by a chair, a single sofa, as well as appliances such as a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, an electric kettle, and a hairdryer. The window is not small and includes a bay window, while the bathroom is of moderate size, sufficient for bathing.

Hmm. The old master nodded and said, "This is quite fitting"

By the way! Cheng Yun suddenly remembered something and looked at the old mage with eager eyes, "Master Mage, since your world is a magical civilization... is there a spell that can bring the dead back to life?"

"But you should learn to restrain me." The old master became serious, seemingly taking on the role of a mentor, "In the future, many individuals crossing boundaries will not be simple characters. If you cannot learn to control them, they will cause trouble.

Um ... ...

Hunting has transformed into breeding, and conflict has escalated into war

"When I learned magic, this spell did not exist in the world, so there is no point of reference." The old master shook his head with a sweet smile, "However, if we consider a mage from our world who can pass the mage examination, starting from scratch to the point of being able to use this spell, it would take approximately five to six years."

Cheng Yun was deeply affected

... ...

I cannot give you a definite answer, for there are infinite possibilities in the world, and a person can only grasp limited knowledge throughout their life. The old master said calmly, "The body is the vessel of life, and the soul is the backup of the body; together they record a life. We once believed that they could not be copied or replaced, but the rapid development of the times has proven that it was merely our previous technology that was insufficient. Now we have demonstrated that the body can give birth to the soul anew, and according to the soul, the body can also be reshaped. Yet, no one knows if this world records every life that has passed through it in another way that we are unaware of." We once believed that they could not be copied or replaced, but the rapid development of the times has proven that it was merely our previous technology that was insufficient. Now we have demonstrated that the body can give birth to the soul anew, and according to the soul, the body can also be reshaped. Yet, no one knows if this world records every life that has passed through it in another way that we are unaware of.

The light and shadow wavered in his eyes

The first ancient ape stood up from the forest, and the first group left that vast grassland

The old master effortlessly opened the padlock securing the iron gate on the rooftop, without any psychological burden, and then stood at the edge of the terrace gazing into the distance

This universe seems to have never witnessed a civilization system similar to theirs; at most, some have imagined legends with external manifestations somewhat akin to them. The rules of this world are very unfamiliar to him, suppressing his abilities to a very low level, and it may take some time for him to gradually adapt. Fortunately, he has already reached a very high level and has experience in cross-border travel; otherwise, if it were a lesser mage, they would probably be unable to cast even a low-level spell and would be at a loss.

"Resurrected from the dead?" The master looked at him, squinting his eyes, "No wonder your demeanor is so somber; have you recently lost a family member?"

The old master stood in place, looking at him with great helplessness

"Alright, you should change your clothes before going out," Cheng Yun said, "The outfit you are wearing is quite strange, and... it resembles that of a beggar too much."

Please make yourself at home

At this moment, he remembered that the rooftop was locked

A primitive material technology civilization

Do you have any extra clothes here

Then he sat for a while and went upstairs to sleep

Aren't you... a mysterious civilization? Is there no other way?

As a mere salted fish, why should I bear the responsibilities of a superhero? I am powerless and without influence; how am I supposed to negotiate with those powerful figures who traverse time and space in the future?

"The necromantic spells intended for ordinary humans have fatal flaws, and their unauthorized use is strictly prohibited by international law." The old man seemed to see through his thoughts and said directly, pausing for a moment before continuing, "Moreover, the rules of the world differ; in your world, the rate at which souls dissipate may be faster than the decay of the body. Therefore, I regret to inform you that the knowledge and abilities I possess are currently insufficient to assist you."

I would like to go out and get to know your world, do you think that would be possible? The old master looked at him in an inquiring manner

Every civilization has more or less traversed the same path

Perhaps magic is not necessarily suitable for you, the old wizard said, in any case, your lifespan will be long, you can take your time to choose, and select another path

Rooftop

I cannot stop you again," Cheng Yun said helplessly, raising his hands.

Cheng Yun was also staring at the old master.

Cheng Yun did not fully understand, but grasped the general meaning

In his eyes, intricate and enigmatic symbols began to flicker, constantly changing and evolving

What should we do then? Cheng Yun asked

He has succumbed to the ordinary, he is mired in trivialities; if he does not break free, he will never again become an excellent spellcaster. The old master has been staring at him as he spoke

Good

The brightly lit city is reflected in his somewhat murky eyes, with buildings stacked on the ground like blocks. The illuminated roads and bridges resemble glowing ribbons, while vehicles flow like water. Neon lights illuminate the night sky, and planes with twinkling lights fly by.

Good! Cheng Yun nodded seriously, "Then I, in my capacity as the stationmaster of the time-space transfer station, prohibit you from leaving here"

... ...

Yes, my parents have just passed away unexpectedly

Approaching the long table, the old master pulled out a chair and sat down. With a casual gesture, a floating transparent screen frame appeared in the air, covered with unfamiliar characters, while new text was pulsating on it.

I humbly ask, with my talent, how long would it take to learn to master languages as effortlessly as you do in the realm of magic

"To traverse from other worlds, what a remarkable ability this is!" Cheng Yun is still in awe.

Cheng Yun was greatly disappointed, but fortunately, he had gradually come to accept this reality over the past few days

Are there any other methods available

He turned and walked down the stairs, asked Cheng Yun for a room card, and then returned to his own room

Order is perfected, culture is elevated

The old master slightly turned his gaze, fixating on Cheng Yun

In the sixth month of the year 1383 of the new calendar, I arrived in a strange world and discovered a newly awakened space-time node, which was very close to the world and had already merged with living beings

The village has become a nation, symbols have become poetry, and calls have become songs

The rampant spread of viruses and the advancement of technology, the sound of camel bells brings communication, and unfulfilled desires trigger world wars

The most fundamental and important aspect of becoming a mage is a strong thirst for knowledge, which I currently do not see in you

Then there is nothing more that can be done said the old master淡淡

At the same time, there is already a great deal of text on this, all concerning the space-time nodes. Most of the time, the old master will add some content at the back, and sometimes he will scroll up to insert some remarks in the middle or modify certain elements.

However, this should not pose a challenge to that old master, right

He found a bar of soap inscribed with "Anju Hotel" in the bathroom, leaving him speechless and shaking his head in disbelief

"Perhaps it is because you are too old," the old master paused, holding his staff against the ground. "Every newborn baby is filled with curiosity about this world; they will always excitedly explore everything around them. However, it is unfortunate that if no one nurtures this thirst for knowledge, after countless questions are met with indifference, they will become someone who takes this world for granted. They will become accustomed to the rules and appearances of this world, no longer asking what this is, nor questioning why it is this way.

Yes, it was the inn that my parents ran during their lifetime

I am very sorry. The old man lowered his head and continued, "We have many medical technologies that can revive a person who has recently died from an accident, provided that the body is not severely damaged. Although we currently lack the necessary medical equipment, I am still willing to give it a try. I wonder about your parents..."

So how long did it take you

Yet Cheng Yun continued to wait at the counter for the arrival of twelve o'clock, while also reflecting, feeling exceptionally weary.

Cheng Yun sat behind the counter, noticing that it was already past 11 o'clock. She opened QQ and sent a message to Cheng Yan, informing her that she would not be returning tonight

This experiment demonstrates that spacetime nodes exhibit significant variability, which is indisputable. Furthermore, spacetime nodes are controlled by living beings in a fused manner, with these beings existing in a state akin to 'the consciousness of spacetime nodes'; the specifics require further investigation. There is a distinction between spacetime nodes that are fused with living beings and those that are unclaimed, and it is currently impossible to prove whether the fusion causes the variability or if the variability leads to the fusion

No. Cheng Yun was taken aback for a moment, "I have some at home, I will bring it to you tomorrow"

If what this old master says is true, and he possesses an exceptionally long lifespan, for a salted fish, this merely seems to increase the difficulty of living a life of mere existence.

At just past 12:01, he launched his hotel on various major platforms, including Meituan, Dianping, Mafengwo, Qunar, and so on

Cheng Yun's expression suddenly turned very unpleasant: "But what if it has already been cremated?"

Then I will go upstairs to take a look, is that alright

From the decoration of this house, it seems to be an inn? He changed the subject

Cheng Yun did not respond.

When he looked up at the night sky again, suddenly there were more images in his pupils, as if time had reversed, a thousand years in an instant

It seems that the old gentleman upstairs is currently the only person I can rely on!

This exceeds his understanding, yet he has accepted his own situation quite quickly

The principle behind this marvelous method is undoubtedly beyond his imagination, but it does not matter; as long as he knows how to use it, that is sufficient

Words appeared one by one, resembling the recording of experimental data, yet more akin to a reflective experience.

The old master turned and walked upstairs

The old master lowered his head, feeling inexplicably moved

The old gentleman glanced at him, smiled, and said nothing more, turning instead to examine the facade of the hotel

It seems that he was inexplicably struck by a time-space node, and then, in a daze, he had to start striving for two goals: "the peace of Earth" and "ensuring that the guests from other time and space do not starve to death." However, now this old master has told him in two sentences that these still cannot change his inherent nature as a good-for-nothing; at most, it only makes him a somewhat special good-for-nothing.

After a long while, he sighed: "The rules..."

Hmm? The old master scrutinized him carefully, "About ten thousand years, but the reality may be shorter; I cannot confirm when you will come into contact with something that can change your own circumstances"

After a long time, the old wizard withdrew his gaze, released his staff, and the staff stood quietly beside him without falling over